Spain's Supreme Court seeks EU opinion on legality of AP-9 highway concession extension

Spain's Supreme Court has formally requested the European Commission’s motivated opinion on the 2000 extension of the AP‑9 toll highway concession, arguing the extension breaches EU public‑procurement rules. The request follows a legal challenge by the Galician transport association Apetamcor and could lead to the annulment of the concession granted by former Prime Minister José María Aznar.

In the city of Ourense, the Administrative Tribunal of Public Contracting (Tacgal) annulled the award of the urban bus service contract after finding technical and financial deficiencies. The regional socialist party (PSdeG) blamed a lack of planning, while the BNG described the deal as a costly mismanagement. Tacgal also reversed a €3.16 million waste‑container contract, re‑awarding it to Formato Verde after a detailed technical review.

Meanwhile, opposition parties in the municipality of Gondomar have condemned the agreement with the Zona Franca de Vigo for Phase II of the A Pasaxe industrial park as “ruinous” and illegal. Critics cite the absence of an economic‑viability study, the loss of the municipality’s statutory 10 % land share, and the expropriation of the Vincios forest community. The local PP plans to file a legal appeal against the pact.